Reflections on San Francisco: Photographer catches amazing images of city's unique landmarks seen in PUDDLES (but it wasn't easy in one of the driest years on record)

A series of stunning photographs has captured the beauty of San Francisco as it is seen from its reflection in roadside puddles.

Photographer and designer Angela May Chen decided she wanted to capture her home city from a different perspective, and so she dedicated the next two years puddle hunting across the city after rainfall.

When closely studied, the photos show the unique architecture and landmarks of the city flipped on their head, as they are seen when reflected in puddles.

Among the images is a shot of the San Francisco Ferry Building, which acts as both a marketplace and a terminal from where ferries depart for the San Francisco Bay

The village of Embarcadero, pictured, is the premier boutique shopping center in San Francisco - a city renowned for its vibrant arts and culture scene

A building on the corner of Divisadero and Page streets, which are a gateway to the thriving San Fran nightlife, can be seen from the gutter puddle in this photograph

Despite 2013 being a record dry year for California, she managed to capture a number of local landmarks by closely following the rainfall.

'The puddles highlight the unique architecture and landmarks of San Francisco that people seem to whiz by every day,' the 24-year-old said. 'These reflections remind me to always take time to reflect on the hidden beauty that the city has to offer.'

The series of images capture several local landmarks, including the San Francisco City Hotel, Civic Centre Hotel, Justin Herman Plaza and AT&T Park Baseball stadium.

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'I thought it was interesting to look at the world through a natural filter, and I liked how the organic textures of the pavement and the upside down reflections created this new dreamlike perspective of the city.'

'I particularly enjoyed the process of trying to find something visually interesting among mundane pavements, and taking a second look at what most people try to avoid stepping in.'

While confusing at first glance, the crystal clear image in the puddle reveals a reflection of the AT&T Park Baseball Stadium, which is home to the San Francisco Giants

Getting a clear reflection in the puddle through which the photos were taken involved a number of uncontrollable factors.

'You
have to consider the depth and size of the puddle, the amount of wind,
whether it is still drizzling, a sunny or overcast sky, because all
these elements dramatically affect how the reflections turn out.

'The
magical moment is when the rain has stopped, the wind is still, and the
sun has just broken through the clouds, but as San Francisco is so
windy, you really have only a split second to get that perfect shot of a
clear puddle before it ripples again.

'I
think we should also appreciate the rain more. Many people get annoyed
by rain, but it's a beautiful, natural phenomenon that can create new
portals to view the world.'

The tall peak of San Francisco's City Hall fits perfectly into this drying puddle. Photographer Angela May Chen was trying to capture the city's landmarks from a new perspective

A second shot, much closer this time, was taken of Pier 28. This time the parked cars and upside down pedestrians are a dead giveaway as to the photographer's methods.

San Francisco's Cupid's Span is a 60-foot-high fiberglass and stainless steel sculpture of a bow and arrow, which sits on the city waterfront and directs its gaze into a nearby park

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Photographer catches amazing images of San Francisco in puddle reflections